For the Solano College women's soccer program, however, the bar is set higher.

Coming into last season, the Falcons (11-7-3) had made the Northern California State Playoffs 10 straight seasons and had won the Bay Valley Conference seven straight years.

Instead, Solano (11-7-3 last year) saw Folsom Lake (17-1-4) claim the conference crown and Mendocino grab second place to keep the Falcons out of the playoffs.

With a more sophomore-heavy group this fall, Solano is looking to get back to the postseason. The season opener is at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at home against Cosumnes River College.

Head coach Jeff Cardinal is elated to have former Brazilian star Sissi as an assistant coach this season. Besides playing in the World Cup with her home country, she played professionally in the United States with the San Jose CyberRays, FC Gold Pride and the California Storm.

Cardinal and Sissi should have some talented returners to work with this season.

"I think the overall strength of our players is a little higher, a little more talent, player for player," Cardinal said in comparison to last season. "We're not as big of a squad as we're used to, but we're going to be strong. There are a few more impact players, either sophomores or freshmen, that I think are going to make a difference."

One of those is forward Sydney Sjoberg, a sophomore from Armijo High who redshirted last season after being one of the Falcons' top players in 2012. Sjoberg and sophomore midfielder Jordan Hish (Will C. Wood) should give the Falcons plenty of experience offensively.

"We all get along really well," Hish said. "There are different personalities this year, which can be difficult sometimes. We're a team. We work well together and we really enjoy each other's company. That's the making of a great team right there."

Cardinal should have plenty of goal-scoring options at forward.

Sjoberg, freshman Mia Horn (Vacaville), sophomore Geneva Bouchet (Benicia) and sophomore Kyla Williams (Ottawa University transfer) are among the forwards that Cardinal will be counting on this season.

"I think scoring-wise, we should be stronger in that area this year," Cardinal said.

The midfield should be anchored by players like Jasmine Calderon and Jenny Dessel, both from Armijo. Desarae Lewis (Will C. Wood) and Michelle Camande (American Canyon) should also see plenty of work there. St. Patrick-St. Vincent graduate Kelsey Hamister is back in the midfield as well.

Solano's best defender from last season, Kaylie Cook, had surgery, but the Falcons have two solid returners in the back in Britney Wheeler (Armijo) and Amanda Hadsell (Wood).

Cardinal said he's still not sure who will grab the other two defender spots. He said sorting out the defense is probably the biggest challenge before the season opener.

Returning goalkeeper Danielle Hendershot (Wood) is back and freshman Anna Castro (Armijo) should give the Falcons depth at the position.

"That's two competent, good goalkeepers so we're happy about that," Cardinal said.

Hendershot says she expects the defense to be strong again.

"I really like it here," she said. "I was nervous last year with all of the sophomores but I'm a sophomore now. I've seen all of the teams and I'm more comfortable now."

Cardinal expects Folsom Lake, a second-year program, to be the team to beat again in the BVC.

"It's probably not going to be any different this year," he said. "I anticipate (Folsom) being strong, if not stronger."

The players have high hopes heading into the season. They talked about team goals recently and what they need to do to get back to the postseason.

"We all agreed that we need to push ourselves more," Hendershot said. "If we're losing in a game, we need to keep pushing and not stop. That was a problem last year when we got an extra goal on us, we tended to put our heads down. We have a great team. We have the best players around the Solano area."